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maintain a prevailing influence upon my mind; under which I was accustomed to enjoy so sweet a peace, that my little cell appeared to me a paradise, while I could truly say, Lord, it is good for me to be here. (Matt. xvii. 4.) And thus it will ever be found, in every situation of life, that when we live near to God, and conform ourselves in all things to the divine will, we shall be happy; but, whenever our will rises in opposition to the sovereign pleasure of the Almighty, our peace will depart from us.

“I mentioned before, that my father's little estate bordered closely upon the domains of the Earl of S——. The two houses were in such near neighbourhood, that when seated in my usual place in my father's study, which was, as I before described it, in the roof of our house, I could from thence distinguish any one standing at the door or windows of the mansion-house, and was even able to discern in what manner such persons might be employed.

"There was nothing intervening between the two houses except a little grass-plot in front of my father's habitation, a narrow lane or coach-way, and a very small part of the earl's pleasure-ground. Moreover, exactly opposite to my window there stood an iron gate of slight construction, which formed so considerable an opening among the trees as to leave my view entirely unobstructed.

"That part of the mansion-house which faced my window was not the grand front of the house, but that which contained some of the more private apartments; and among the rest, those occupied by Lady Caroline, the only daughter of the earl, her governess and her maid. On this side was also a portico, supporting a large balcony, into which the young lady's rooms opened, and upon which she often came out, when the weather would admit, to read, to play upon her harp, or to study her lesson.

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Lady Caroline was a few years older than myself, and, having a fine person, appeared to my young and foolish mind the model of all human perfection; though there was, perhaps, very little in her that was truly admirable: for it has since occurred to me, that her manners, which I then thought so charming, were at times haughty, cold, and distant, and at other times superciliously condescending. Self was mingled, or rather predominant, in every action,

and she perhaps never moved or spoke in public, without studying effect. Neither could any thing better have been expected in the common course of things from this unhappy young lady, whose education was of the most superficial kind, and who was constantly surrounded by flatterers. She was, however, handsome; was possessed of many showy accomplishments; was richly and fashionably clothed; was never addressed but with the utmost respect; rode in a coach; and lived in a superb house-she was, therefore, to me not only an object of admiration, but, at length, of the most vehement envy which last sinful feeling at times gained so much upon me, as very materially to interrupt my peace. Nevertheless, although I knew this feeling to be wrong, I did not resist it; or, rather, I did not use the means appointed by God for the mortification of it, but allowed it to remain as a thorn in my flesh, to the total destruction of my comfort.

"When the earl's family were absent from this seat, which often happened, by employing my thoughts less about Lady Caroline, I in a great measure recovered my happiness, becoming, as I fancied, content with my humble situation. On her return, however, my supposed humility constantly disappeared; I became dissatisfied with myself and all about me; thinking of little else than this envied object, and even going so far as sometimes to wish I could change places with her.

"Had the Almighty granted my wish," continued the lady of the manor," how dreadful to me would have been the consequences of my vain desires! My heavenly Father however dealt not with me according to my deserts; but, while he made me feel my sin, he spared me the punishment of it. I will now, without speaking so much of myself, proceed with the history of the beautiful and accomplished daughter of the Earl of S

"At the age of eighteen, Lady Caroline was taken out of the hands of her governess, and introduced at Court. Her appearance there, we heard, was brilliant, and her success, speaking after the manner of the world, such, that she obtained the heart of a young marquis, who immediately offered her his hand, and was accepted. What the merits of this young nobleman were, I am not authorised to say, but it was determined, for family reasons, that the

marriage should not take place until he came of age, of which he wanted some months.

"While this marriage was in agitation, and the young nobleman in attendance on his bride elect, the family arrived in our neighbourhood, displaying before my eyes all that could be imagined of worldly splendour and worldly happiness; and it may well be supposed, that the view of these things by no means added to my felicity. In the mean time, I was frequently invited to the earl's house: and though my parents did not desire such society for me as I mixed with there, yet they found it extremely difficult altogether to withhold me from it.

"The Earl of S- had three sons; the youngest of whom, Mr. William, was destined for the Church. This young nobleman, by the especial mercy of God, having been placed at the University under the charge of a pious tutor, was so effectually wrought upon by his instructions as to exhibit, even at that early and dangerous period of life, many very decisive evidences of a change of heart.

"At the time of which I am speaking, all the sons of the earl were at home; and I more than once witnessed conversations of a very serious tendency between Mr. William and his sister, one of which I particularly remember. I was admitted, one morning, to sit with Lady Caroline, and certain other young ladies of distinction, in the dressing-room of the former....We were engaged with our needles, when Mr. William entered, and, addressing his sister affectionately, asked permission to read to us. Having received this permission, he was hastening to get a book, when she called after him, and implored him, with assumed earnestness, and an affected shrug of the shoulders, not on any account to bring a religious book. On hearing this he turned back, and taking a seat by her on the sofa, he spoke with much warmth and tenderness upon the uncertainty of life, the certainty of death, the realities of eternal punishment, and the way laid open for escape. She heard him with impatience, attempting often to interrupt him; till at length, breaking out into a haughty and contemptuous laugh, she uttered certain expressions which but too plainly proved to me that this admired young lady was in fact an infidel, a character, I fear, too common

among those who are lovers of pleasure, and devoted to the present world. This was one of the last interviews which I had with Lady Caroline, and it left an impression upon my mind of an exceedingly painful nature..

"It was soon after this, that the family removed to town, confessedly with the purpose of preparing for the intended marriage. On the morning of their departure, I was sitting at my window, finishing some inglorious task of plain work which required to be speedily concluded, with an old edition of Baxter's Saint's Everlasting Rest lying open before me-when the sound of carriages caused me to lift up my head., I perceived a superb phaeton, drawn by four horses, issuing out of the gates of the mansionhouse, followed by the earl's travelling-carriage, the family-coach, and many out-riders. In this phaeton was the young marquis, with Lady Caroline sitting by his side. The young lady was dressed with uncommon elegance, and the white plumes of her riding-hat floating in the air, excited in my unsanctified imagination an idea of the utmost splendour, elegance, and pleasure., Just catching a view of me, as I stood at my garret-window, she bowed with a condescending smile; and then, pointing me out to her companion, I was saluted by him in the same manner. All this took up only one moment; for the trees in an instant concealed every thing from me but the white plumes of Lady Caroline's hat.

“I remained at my window till the gay party had passed; then, turning round, and looking upon the mean spot I occupied, the old book open before me, my task of plain work, the old-fashioned furniture, grim busts, and musty folios, by which I was surrounded-I burst into tears, and sat down to work, considering myself as the most neglected and hopeless of human beings; when, in reality, I had reason to think myself one of the most peculiarly favoured.

"My mind was so filled with the thoughts of Lady Caroline's happiness, that, for more than three months from that time, I had no enjoyment for my own home, or friends, or employments; I neglected to struggle against this temptation; I did not seek assistance from above for that purpose; and therefore I had no right to expect I should receive strength sufficient for my

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day. Notwithstanding I was at length delivered from this snare, though not in the least degree by my own endeavours, but entirely through the goodness and mercy of God.

"In the mean time, injudicious people, such as are to be found in all neighbourhoods, and from whom the best and most careful parents will find it difficult to preserve their children, came, from time to time, to my father's house, bringing reports of what the earl's family were doing in town: telling of the superb entertainments they gave, the admiration which the marchioness elect excited wherever she appeared, the elegant clothes and jewels which were in preparation for the wedding, and many other matters of the same kind; all of which served to feed the flame of dissatisfaction which burned in my breast. But, as I kept all these feelings carefully to myself, being secretly ashamed of them, my parents did not think of removing me entirely out of the way of this foolish kind of discourse; and finding their own minds unaffected by it, they were probably not aware of the injurious effects it had produced upon me.

"In this manner things went on till towards the end of autumn, when, after expecting every hour to hear of the marriage of Lady Caroline, news was one day brought that she was dangerously ill, having caught cold at a masquerade. Our next information was, that this cold had brought on a violent fever. And, a few days afterwards, I was truly shocked by hearing that the beautiful object of my envy and admiration had ceased to live.

"I can give you no idea of my feelings on this affecting occasion: they were mingled emotions of terror, pity, and amazement. I had never conceived the possibility of such an event as the death of this splendid object of my envy; and I now remembered with anguish the contempt she had expressed for religion, with my still more wicked murmurings against that God, who had appointed my lot in a state of holy retirement, under the charge of pious and tender parents...

"During the interval between the death and the funeral of poor Lady Caroline, I spent much time in my little study, where I poured out my tears without restraint. My parents knew not all that passed in my mind. They thought

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